Twas the afternoon before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse! You see instead, on Chancellor Hill that said afternoon, cars with Hash feet would be spotted winding their way up to the day’s run site.

Having not been to our host’s home before, I was pleasantly enthralled by the wonderful vista of the city down below and the festive Parang music blaring from the speaker boxes of the now regular fixture, Deejay Nigel.

Under white tents, serving trays lined with hops, ham, pasta salad, turkey etc were a tempting sight for later and rumors were confirmed that the spread was "free" as Yuh Mammy walked past musing aloud "like de Hash have money boy". Hashers slowly but surely filtered in, most decked in festive red and even a few wannabe Dashers and Prancers could be seen milling around with their reindeer bandeaus. Seasons greetings, hugs and kisses were being dished out in abundance and one could easily have been forgiven for mistaking the occasion as a Hash social event and not a run until the Iron Lady called for the Hash Hush and the three hares Wise men (in full costume mind you. These men really taking cross-dressing to new heights!) came forward to brief us on what was to be expected on the run.

Having been recently spared the dubious award of Worst MMM Run 2011, you would think that the Wise Man from the North Ash would have given up setting runs for a while but no…instead he proceeded to rant about there being no hills (yeah right), no mud and to be careful when going through the river and use the life jackets provided??? Go figure!

On On was called and we set off into a nice brisk walk up the hill. No one seemed in any particular rush to do any running and I’m not sure if this was due to the ill effects of the Holiday Season or in anticipation of a Ball Buster run which two of these particular hares are known for setting. "Long and Hard" seems to be their modus operandi as if they are trying to work out some sort of personal shortcoming on the Hash..Quality not quantity boys!

Anyway….eventually the front pack started running up the hill to a nicely placed "X" – Duh, and after much mulling around and to-ing and fro-ing the correct trail was found off an old off beaten path by Dookie no less, leading the pack down to the back of the Zoo and then eventually veering us off to the back entrance of the Gardens. Having reached another standstill and again in no particular fancy to "dash off", Devaughn was sent up to check a trail up a very steep hill. Poor fellah, he really took the chain-up well from Martin and I as we encouraged him with "Yuh form lookin’ good boy" and "this is yuh last chance to be at the front of de Hash" needless to say he found an "X"..Oh well.

The correct trail was found leading the pack into Cascade, up to Terra Cita with the "On In" at the crest of the hill leading back to the run site down Chancellor.

Great after-party, entertainment was provided by Los Hombres Sexuales an all-male Parang band out of Diego Martin of good looking young men, which for those of you not familiar with the language means "Impotent Men" – what…you think I’m making this up? Check it out! Ladies don’t get your hopes up J

Hash Hush was called and during the down downs we had our first Hash demonstration. Apparently some of the Old farts had taken issue with the dismissal of Yuh Mammy as Hash Booze and decided to protest at the Iron Lady’s first official Down Down.

Two-sided placards reading "No Boos no Booze" were paraded around and a well meant but out of tune version of "We shall Overcome" was sang throughout the crowd while Nevie wandered throughout the throng in a shredded T-shirt like a displaced vagrant. But the Iron Lady would have none of this! She continued with the procession of the Down Downs blatantly ignoring the protestors and instructed Deejay Nigel to play "I’ve Got the Power" just in case they didn’t get the hint. At the end of it all the protestors said they were all just having "a bit of fun". Guess everybody’s idea of fun is different right?

Poofter award went to Corkie for some nonsense but it really should have gone to barman Andre who arrived late to the Hash because he didn’t have proper directions??? Priceless!

Good time was had by all. Happy New Year and see you in 2012! ON ON!!!

Thank God we survived 2011…..Today is a new day, it’s a new year, let us reflect on our triumphs and mishaps, our promises made and broken…we have been given another chance to forgive….

another opportunity to be better…to do more….to give more…..to love….

Stop worrying about what if….start embracing all that will be…let’s start being nice to each other…

not just today but everyday. On On

UPCOMING HASH EVENTS:

February 4, 2012 (28th Anniversary Run/Awards/Party)

Date to be advised (Ole Mas Run)

February 18, 2012 (Carnival Saturday) Hash Kaiso Competition and Party

March 30-April 1, 2012 (Mayaro weekend) (we camping on d beach)

DIRECTIONS TO THE NEXT RUN #799

Date: December 21, 2012Time: 3:30 p.mHares: The North Coast PosseRunSite: Brasso SecoDirections: Head east on CRH till you reach Santa Rosa Heights residential area (immediately before Wallerfield). Continue to the roadside pillars just after that mark the beginning of Wallerfield, and turn left onto Demerara Road . Head north towards EMR. At intersection of EMR and Demerara Rd. , cross and continue North to the Arima-Blanchisseuse Rd. , going past Asa Wright Nature Centre and on to the Brasso Seco turn-off on the right. Look for HHH signs. Approximate distance from Eastern Main Rd. intersection to Brasso Seco is 16 miles. Travel time from POS : approximately 1hr. 45 mins.